Oculus Connect 4: All Of The Big VR Announcements

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg had plenty of exciting announcements at Oculus Connect, the company’s annual developers conference in San Jose, Calif. Zuckerberg announced new hardware, software, and content that will get “more people into VR.” Here’s all of the announcements you need to know from Oculus Connect 4.

Facebook introduced a new virtual reality wireless standalone headset, called Oculus Go. Zuckerberg said the new headset is a “high quality affordable experience that doesn’t tether you to a PC.” The Go headset is lightweight, and the facial interface is soft and breathable. The lenses also offer a wide field view with reduced glare. Oculus Go also comes with integrated spatial audio. There’s a 3.5mm headphone jack so you have the option for private listening. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the Oculus Go will ship in early 2018 and cost $199, during Oculus’s developers conference in San Jose, Calif.

Facebook VP of VR Hugo Barra discussed the latest updates to Project Santa Cruz, another standalone headset, which includes “inside-out” tracing, says Oculus. Whether you’re tilting your head or waving your hands around, you don’t have to worry about annoying wires or external sensors for tracking movement. The company also showed off new controllers, called the Santa Cruz controllers.

Oculus announced that Respawn Entertainment, founders of franchises like Titanfall and Call of Duty, is partnering on a major VR release in 2019. “We really want to depict being a soldier in combat in a more fully fleshed-out and realistic way,” CEO Vince Zampella said in the video.

The Oculus Rift is getting a new user interface, the company announced during its Oculus Connect 4 keynote. Rift Core 2.0, is the biggest software update making it even more powerful. “Starting in December, you’ll be able to customize Oculus Home with environments, decor, and interactive gadgets; invite friends to visit your places, and check out theirs, too,” the company said on the Oculus Blog.